The Nice Guys (2016)

Dir Shane Black

Written by Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi

Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Kim Basinger,  Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Yaya DaCosta, Keith David, Beau Knapp, Lois Smith,

In 1977, two PI’s (Crowe and Gosling) find themselves paired together to investigate a missing young woman named Amelia (Qualley). When people she has been associated with end up dying; those trying to find her become more and more violent in their quest.

Crowe is Jackson Healy, the gruff; hold no prisoners PI, who was hired by Amelia, prior to her going missing, to find the men following her. This leads him to Gosling’s Holland March, who stumbled upon Amelia in trying to find the niece of a client. As their investigation grows, the body count rises, and soon a ruthless hitman (Bomer) is called in. the screenplay pairs well, with both intensity and laugh out loud moments of humor.

Very fun buddy action romp, from the master of 80s and 90s buddy cop movies Shane Black (writer of Lethal Weapon, Last Boy Scout and Long Kiss Goodnight). The pairing of Crowe and Gosling is brilliant casting. They have both proven in the past that they can hold their own film, and have done extrodinary work, and they do the same here. The supporting cast is all equally as engaging as each other. Special shout to Lois Smith who was 86 here and still gives an amazing performance. (As of writing this article, she is still going strong at 93).

The setting of 1977 is paired with both a killer soundtrack, and amazing score. The action sequences are very well done, and there are some realistic approaches added – especially with Gosling’s March (when he punches a window, and how affected his is by his alcoholism).

There are some great action sequences, which is typical from a Shane Black script. I felt the directing wasn’t as strong as some of the other films he has written, but as this is his third film directing – this may be the case.

I highly recommend this if you are a fan of some of Black’s earlier works. Fingers crossed for a sequel, but it seems highly unlikely due to poor box office results for this.

4/5